Carton



W. A. RINGLER March 30, 1943. .Y

cmron original `Filed .June 24. 193i;

(ghi Maf/422 Patented Mar. 30, 1943 CARTON William A. Ringler, Wayne,Pa., assignor to National Folding Box Company, New Haven, Conn., acorporation of New Jersey Griginal application June 24, 1936, Serial No.86,917. Divided and this application July 1, 1939, Serial No. 282,479

1l Claims.

This invention relates to cartons, and more particularly to a carton forthe packaging of radio tubes, electric light bulbs and similar articles,which require testing to determine whether they are in good, serviceableconditio-n before delivery to the customer. This application is adivision of my copending application Serial No. 86,917, filed June 24,1936, which issued into Patent No. 2,164,346 on July 4, 1939.

' Customers generally require an actual test of such articles as radiotubes and electric light bulbs to determine Whether they are inserviceable condition before accepting delivery of same. Such testrequires that the test end of the article be inserted in a suitableelectric socket to determine whether the article properly responds tothe current or energy waves to which it is subjected. Irresponsibledealers and bootleggers have heretofore taken advantage of thisrequirement by actually removing the article originally packed by themanufacturer in the carton, and inserting a used or inferior article inits place. Legitimate manufacturers naturally desire to safeguard theirproduct and their vcustomers against such operations, and to this endthis invention is directed.

'An object of this invention is to provide a carton especially adaptedfor the packaging of radio tubes, electric light bulbs, and similararticles, which permits full and complete test of the article beforeuse, but which is so constructed as to prevent unauthorized removal ofthe original article from the carton.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved carton forarticles to be tested prior to use, which permits a limited movement ofthe article Within the carton for purpose of test, but which Willeffectively prevent unauthorized removal of the article therefrom, thusinsuring delivery of the voriginal article to the customer.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved cartonfor articles to be tested prior to sale, which fully protects thearticle from injury resulting from external shock,- which permits quickmanipulation of the article for purpose of test and yet positivelyprevents unauthorized removal of the article therefrom, which carton canbe inexpensively and economically manufactured, assembled and packedsubstantially entirely byautomatic machinery, and which is susceptibleof being-formed into a variety of attractivedesigns and patterns. y

Other objects of this invention will Vbecome apparent as the disclosureproceeds.

` Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appendedhereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and themanner in which it maybe carried out, may be better understood byreferring to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an extendedblank from which the outer tubular member of thecontainer may be made;

Fig. 2 shows a blank from which the inner sleeve may be made, whichsleeve is adapted to be associated with the outer tubular memberassembled from the blank shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the sleeve-forming blank shown in Fig. 2in the process offassembly about a corrugated protective shell whichsurrounds the article; I Y i Fig. 4 is a perspective view of thetube-forming blank shown in Fig. 1 in the process of being assembledabout the article-containing shell and sliding sleeve;

Fig. 5 is a perspective-view of the carton as it appears prior tosealing, -the vtube-protecting hell and sliding sleeve being shown intest posiion; Y

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the carton in the process of beingclosed and sealed; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view 0f the fully assembled carton. i

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawing and the specification. 'Y

The carton forming the subject matterof this invention is particularlydesigned for the packaging of radiotubes, electriclightbulbsand similarlarticles requiring test before use, Which-article will be hereinafterdesignated T. vThe carton comprises generally an outer tubular member AVwhich containsan inner sliding member B. The inner sliding membersupportsthe article T which may be encased in a protective shell C.Means are provided to Vpermit limitedsliding movement of the innersliding member Within the outer tubular member so that vthe article canbe tested when Vdesired.k The carton is so constructed, however, thatthe article cannot be removed `without 'mutilating 'or destroyingY thevcartonvor otherwise leaving visible evidence that;

the V'carton has been tampered'with and access tb the v"ar-ticleoriginally packed therein obtained. f

formed from the'blank-shown riii-Fig;- 1,Y corn-i Y prising sidewall-forming sections I, 2, 3 and 4, dened by the longitudinallyextending score line 6. A closure section 5 hinged to the side wallsection Il along the score line 6 is arranged to overlap the side wallsection I to form a closed tubular outer member. The manner in which theouter tubular member is closed and sealed will be discussed more indetail hereinafter.

Fig. 2 shows a blank from which the inner slidable member B may beformed, comprising a bottom wall section II and a top wall section I2connected by a side wall section i0 along the score lines I3. The bottomsection II is provided with an opening I9 through which the test end pof the article T may project. The top wall -section I2 is provided 4witha suitably shaped opening which serves to center the article within theinner member. Side wall portions I3 and I6, hinged respectively to thebottom wall section II and the'top wall section I2 along the score linesI8, are provided witlrhcok portions 2| which may be interlocked togetherwhen the article has been placed therein. i l In packaging the carton,the article T may be first telescoped into the corrugated'shell Ccomprising the surrounding side jwalls 30. The shell Crserves as acushion to protect the Vfragile article against injury from shock. kTheinner member or sleeve B is then wrapped around the article T and theprotective shell C by iirstplacing the test end oi the article insupporting position on the bottom section I I, with testaprongs pprojecting through the opening I9. The top Wall section I2 is thenplaced over the top end of the article, the opening 2.0 serving tocenter the article in position. The side wall-forming portions i3 and I6are then swung into position ,and connected by means of hook portions2-I and 22 sothat theside wall portions I3 and I6 form a fullyYassembled side wall section positioned opposite to the side wall sectionI0.

The outer tubular member formed from the blank; shownY in Fig. 1 isprovided with a cutout recess B inthe side wall section I', preferablyextending to the free edge thereof. A tab portion 62 extending from thefree` edge of the overlapping section 5 may also be provided. It will benoted that a plurality of blanks shown in Fig. 1r may be cut from apaperboard sheet y without waste of material, due to the fact that thematerial cut out from section Il to form the recess forms the tabportion 62 extending from section 5 ofthe adjacent blank.

. The outer tubular member, while in blank form, is yassembledarovundthe assembled inner sliding member in the manner shown in Fig. 4,AK projection associated with the vinner sliding member, such as, thehook portions 2I extending-from either the side wall portion I3 or I6 ofthe inner member, extends through the slot Si), so thatthis projectionmay be moved into abutment against the top edge 69h or bottom edgepla ofthe side wall section I, as shown in Fig. A5. The overlapping section 5is then positioned over the side wall section I so as to cover and`conceal the projection, such as the hook portion 2l. Ihe'projecting tab62 ymay be inserted through a` corresponding slit .63 extending along aportion of the score line 5 `which joinsl the sections I and 2. V.Theouter, tubular member may bey sealed in, closed position by theapplication'l of adhesive o r eyelets 29 to the overlapped sections 5and I at each end thereof, as more fully shown in Fig. 7. The tabportion 62 may be of such length as to prevent the insertion of acutting tool between the overlapped sections 5 and I to effectmutilation of the hook portion 2| which locks the inner sliding memberwithin the outer tubular member. The tab portion E2 thus acts as ashield to prevent unauthorized mutilation of the carton. In addition,the tab portion 62 serves to hold the outer tubular member in arelatively fixed tubular shape While the securing eyelets 29 are beingapplied.

It will be noted that when the inner sliding member is moved' into testposition, the lower edge' portion 60a will abut against the inside faceof the projection or neck portion which j oins the hook portion 2i tothe side wall portion I6, as at 2I`a (see Fig. 5). The inner slidingmember cannot be further ejected. When in the ejected position abovedescribed the leg portions I1 may be swung outwardly to permit freeinsertion of the test prongs p into a suitable socket. When the innermember is completely housed within the outer member 'during shipment andstorage, the upper edge portion 60h of the recess 60 will abut againstthe outside face of the neck of the hook portion 2'I', as at 2lb. Thusthe amount of sliding move'- ment of the inner member can be determinedand fixed by the space between the opposite edge portions B'Ua and 60hof the recess 6U'. The hook portion 2l and associated recess 60 isconcealed from view and inaccessible to unauthorized tampering by theside wall' section 5 which completely overlies the same. Therecessportion 6E! may be of any desired shape but preierably the edgeportions 60a' and 60B thereof extend substantially transversely acrossthe side wall section I and at right angles to the free edge thereof soas to provide a positive nonslip stop for the sliding inner member. Ifdesired, a.V projecting nose portion 6Iv extending inwardly toward therecess may be provided to. assist in preventing dislocation of the neckof the hook portion 2I from its seated position in said recess 60.

The carton herein described pro-vides a highly satisfactory andserviceable packing medium for radio tubes, electric light bulbs, andlike articles which must be .protected against damage and injury duringshipment andV storage and from unauthorized pilfering of the originalcontents. The inner member slides within the outer Vtubular membersmoothly andv evenly with just sufficient friction to prevent thearticle from being ejected by jarsY into a test position, but requiringonly al slight pressure on the article T or on the inner sliding memberto effectejection of the test portion p of the article for unobstructedtesting. The leg portions I'I serve to support the inner sliding memberin housed position within the outer member when the carton is placed ona supporting surface, such as a shelf.- The leg portions I'I freelyswing outwardly so as to be completely out'of the way when the test ofthe article is being made. The leg portions i5 at the other end of thesliding innerV member support the head end oi the article away from lthesurface on whichthel carton rests,rshould'` the cartonbe placed on thesupportingV surface in an upside down position.l The cartons hereindisclosed can be economically made with a minimum of paperboardvmaterial and can be assembled and packed automatically and substantiallyentirely without hand operation. .Thecartons are so constructed thtthe'original articles packed therein cannot be removed therefrom Withoutfirst mutilating or destroying the material from Which the carton ismade, so as to make visibly apparent that access to the contents hasbeen made. The customer, whom a legitimate manufacturer desires toprotect, can be warned not to accept lfrom any dealer a packaged articleof which the carton bears evidence of mutilation. Thus, the manufactureras Well as the user is assured of obtaining the article originallypacked in the carton in lgood and serviceable condition.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed andare pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood thatvarious omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by thoseskilled in the art Without departing from the spirit of the invention`What is claimed is:

1. A carton for a radio tube and the likeincluding, a four-sided outertubular member formed by at least ve hingedly connected side wallforming panel sections, an inner tube-supporting member telescopingWithin said outer member, one of the panel sections of the outer memberpresenting a free vertical edge exteriorly overlapped and covered by anadjacent panel section, said inner panel section having spacer cutsextending transversely from the free edge thereof forming spacedabutments and providing space therebetween for the reception of aportion assoelated with said inner member thereby permitting limitedtelescoping movement only of said inner member within the outer member,the portion of said inner member movable between said abutment edgesbeing covered by an overlying panel section of the outer member sealedto an adjacent panel section. A 2. A carton for radio tubes and the likeincluding, a four-sided outer tubular member formed by at least vehingedly connected side Wall forming panel sections, and an innertube-supporting member adapted to telescope Within said outer member,said inner member having end Wall portions and a side wall portioncomprising a pair of connecting flaps hinged to said end wall portions,spaced transversely extending cuts forming spaced abutment edges in onepanel section adapted to be engaged by one of the flaps of said innermember permitting limited telescopic movement of said inner memberWithin the outer member, said outer memberhaving an overlying sidewallsection xed to an adjacent section of said outer member covering saidflap and abutment edges so that the same cannot be removed or detachedto effectuate removal of the tube without leaving telltale evidence oftampering.

3. vA carton for radio tubes and the like including, a four-sided outertubular` member having at leastVv ve hingedly connected side Wall panelsforming a container of generally rectangular form, and an innertube-supporting member adapted to telescope Within said outer member,said inner member having .end Wall sections and a side wall sectioncomprising a pair of connecting flaps hinged to said end Wall sections,said outer member having an opening in a side Wall panel thereof denedby spaced transversely extending cuts defining spaced transverselyextending edges, said edges providing abutments for one of theconnecting flaps of said inner member projecting into said openingthereby limiting the telescoping movement of the inner member within theouter member, one of said side Wall panels overlying said opening andabutment edges, and

means for sealing said last named side Wall panel to an adjacent panelto retain the outer member porting member adapted to telescope Withinsaid outer member, one of the panel sections of the outer memberpresenting a free vertical edge exteriorly overlapped and covered by anadjacent panel section, said inner panel section having a notch cuttherein extending transversely inwardly from .the free edge thereofproviding a guide opening adapted to receive an abutment portionassociated with said inner member so as to limit the telescopingmovement of said inner member Within the outer member,` and means forpermanently sealing said overlying panel section in fixed position tosaid adjacent inner panel section.

5. A container for radio tubes and the like including, a four-sidedtubular outer member comprising at least ve hingedly connected panelsections, an inner member adapted to contain a tube telescoping withinsaid outer member, one of the panel sections of the outer memberpresenting a free vertical edge exteriorly overlapped and covered by anadjacent panel section, said inner member having a guide opening denedby spaced abutment edges extending transversely from the free edgethereof,Y said inner member havinga portion thereof pro-,

jecting into said opening thereby limitingthe telescoping movement ofsaid inner memberI Within the outer member, said outer member having apanel section thereof overlying said guide opening and permanently fixedto an adjacent panel section so as to prevent unauthorized release ofsaid'portion of the inner member from said guide opening without leavingvisible evidence of tampering. Y

6. A container for radio tubes and the like including, anarticle-supporting member enclosing said tube, and a four-sided outertubular member formed from at least five hingedly connected side wallforming panel sections enclosing said article-supporting member, saidarticlesupporting member including end Wall sectionsv and a side Wallsection comprising a pair of connecting flaps hinged to said end Wallsections, said outer tubular member having a guide opening in one of itspanel sections which receives one of the connecting flaps of said innermem-V Aber cooperating to limit the sliding movement of `said innermember in said outer tubular member, said guide opening extending from aside edge of said panel section transversely inwardly thereof for asubstantial distance.

7. A package for radio tubes and thelikeincluding, an inner protectiveshell enclosing the tube, an inner member surrounding said protectiveshell, said inner memberincluding spaced end Wall' sections and a sideWall section comprising a pair of connecting aps hinged to said end Wallsections and a four-sided outer member formed from at least rivehingedly connected side Wall forming panel sections enclosing said innermember, said outer member having a guide opening in a panel sectionthereof receiving one of the connecting flaps of said inner member tolimit and dene the sliding movement thereof, said guide openingextending from a side edge of said panel section transversely inwardlythereof for a substantial distance.

8'. A. container for radio.. tubes. andi the.. like including; a;four-sided outen member;y including. at least ve hingedlyconnectedi'sidewall panels; an. inner member. adapted:v to contain` a.ltube telescopingwithin saidiiouter member, said inner member. includingendv wall sections and: side wall; sections connecting. said.` end:Wall; sections, one. of.7 said end'lwall sections` having.r an opening"`throughwhi'chthe testend` of. the` tube: may:` beprojectedffor testpurposes', onepofsaid sidewall: sections comprising a. pair of sidewalli flaps; hingedlyk connected to opposite end fsections,y saidyside;v Wall flaps having hook portions, for con.- necting said: flapstogether', one of.l said hookv portionsonsaid inner member,`cooperating` with; spaced` abutments formed infra side wallpanelof the:outermemberl to define and limit the telescoping. movement'. of the testend'oi, the tube, one off said side ivallV panels overlying the. sidewall. panel.` provided 1 with saidv spaced' abutments;A said overlyingside Wall panelhaving a.. tab projecting from the free side edge.thereof: extending into'a receiving slit cutlin thevarljacentsiderwallpanels.

9..A container for radio. tubes and. thelike', including. a four-sidedouter member including at: least five hingedly connectedfsideWallpan'els, an inner member` adapted to contain a tubettel'escopingwithin said outer: member, said. inner member including. endl wallVsections and. side.. wall sections connecting saidend Wall: sections,one of saidI end Wall. sections having anop'ening. throughV whichthetest end..of the tubev mayf be: projected. for test purposes, one ofsaid side w-allr sections comprising. a. pair of side Wall flapshingedly` connected tocpposite endsections, said. side' wallflaps vhavingv hook portions `ior connecting; said naps together, and anaperture'inaside; Wallpanel. of said outerL member adapted. toV cooperate with one. of said hookV portions. on said inner member to deiineandflimitthe telescop-i ing movement of the testlend* o'fr the tube,said apertured side Wall panel being closed= by an overlying side Wallpanel, ysaid.'overlying .side vwall panel having a tab.v projecting.from the free side edges thereof extending intoa` receiving slit-cutinthe adjacent side Wall panel.

10. A' container for radio tubes andi the like including, an: outermem-berformed b'yenclosi'ngf Sidn-` Wall` panels, an inner memberadaptedlto' contain a tube telescoping- Within saidouter member, saidinner member including endwall" sections:V andl side Wall" sections'connecting said end; Wall sections, one of said-end'vvallsectionsVhaving an opening through'which thetest end' of`- the" tube maybeprojected for test purposes, onetof vsaidr side wall sections comprisinga pair of= side-V W allv flaps hinged'ly connected to opposite endsections, said' side wall" naps having hook portions for connecting.said'l'aps together, one of' said hook portions projecting outwardlyinto an' opening-cut in one of said. side Wall panels i. andvcooperating with spaced transversely. ex-

tending abutmenti edges of: substantial Ien'gthf dening'; said openingto. limit v the. telescopirlrgf: movement ofthe test Vendfofth'e tube.

11;V A@ container for radio tubes including, anv outer'tubular sleeveformed from( a single blank: of paperboardmaterial! comprisingl fourenclos ing side walll panels hingedly! connected t'o gether alongparallel extendingY cornerfold' lines presenting a sleeve of generallylsquarel cross-1 section, sai'd side wall panelshaving free ends andpresenting squareinside corner faces, an'y inner tube-supporting andenclosing member formed'from a-singleblank ofpaperboard material shapedto snugly telescope Wit-hinv said` outer sleeve, said innermemberincludingtvvo spaced tube-supporting platforms having a genera-llysquarecontour, oneY of said platforms having a centrally disposedaperture therein through which the prong-portions of' the tube mayextend and the other of said'- platforms having a centrally disposedaperture therein for centering the adjacent end of the tube Within saidinner member, a rectangular side wall: sec# tion hingedly connected tosaid spaced plat-4 forms along oneside of said-inner member andpresenting substantially parallel side edges arranged' toA snuglyY andfrictionally seat' against theinside cornerfaces of'said sidewallpanels', a sidewall Hap hingedly connected to each of said platformsopposite said' side Wall section' rst named, said side Wall flapshavingv hook portions Wherebysaid flaps may be separately connected to`form aside wall section presenting. substantially parallelextending'side edges corL responding in length andwidth to the side wallsectionrst named, said second side Wall sec'- tion formed by saidvconnected flaps havingthe side edges thereof arrangedto snuglyandfrictionally seat against the adjacent' inside c'o'rner. faces ofsaid side wall panels, and' a pair of. out-Y turned guide flaps havingsquare cut' vertical-1 edges hingedlyy connected to the other oppositeside'edgesof each of said'platf'orms providing` end supports forsaidinner sleeve,.the square cut edges of said guide iiaps formingsasubstantially, straightline continuation ofthe adjacent side edges ofsaid sidewall sections When said' inner. member is positioned withinsaid outer.' member, the combined'. length of each side wallV sectionand the outt'urned guide; flaps at each end'thereofA being approximatelythe lengthof the adjacent free end' side Wall panel of. the. outersleve,.said inner member being. so dimensioned that when. positionedwithin the outer` sleeve the outside facesof. said outturned-flaps.

Will' snugly seat against the inside faces .of the adjacent side Walllpanel and-the ,sideI edges of said side Wall sections and guidefapswillfric tionally engageY the.. adjacent. corner faces formed by said sideWallpanelsso that thi-:inner member.. is. frictionally retained in. saidouter sleeve. WILLIAM A. RINGLE-R.

